Chelios not a candidate for Wings' vacant assistant coach position

DETROIT – Take one name off the list of possible candidates to assist Red Wings coach Mike Babcock behind the bench next season – Chris Chelios.

“I’m not ready to take over a full responsibility job like that,” Chelios said in a phone interview Tuesday. “I think I’m two years away from actually taking a full-time job again.”

The Wings have a vacancy behind the bench after they named Jeff Blashill as the Grand Rapids Griffins head coach on Monday. Blashill was an assistant in Detroit for one season.

“I can honestly say I would hope to find a position like that in my future, but right now I’m pretty content with having that freedom of going to see my kids play,” Chelios said.

Chelios worked with the Griffins’ young defensemen last year, on and off the ice. He was in Grand Rapids between two and three days a week and attended nearly every home game.

Chelios also helped in the press box, sending down information to the coaching staff regarding special teams.

“Obviously there’s been a coaching change in Grand Rapids with Blash going down there and taking over as head coach, so I haven’t had a chance to talk to him yet,” said Chelios, who did make a few of the road trips with the Griffins. “I’m sure we will. I’d like to be asked back to coaching again.”

Chelios holds the record for most games played by a defenseman (1,651) and finished tied with Gordie Howe for most seasons played in the NHL (26).

Big fan of SchultzChelios, who was inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame last year, likes what he has seen from Wisconsin defenseman Justin Schultz.

“I’ve seen him play against Michigan State a couple of times and I’ve seen him play in a couple of tournaments,” Chelios said. “He’s a big, strong kid with a real heavy shot.”

Schultz, who turns 22 on July 6, became an unrestricted free agent on Monday and can start talking to teams about a contract, but can’t be signed until July 1.

Schultz is a two-time Hobey Baker finalist and WCHA defensive player of the year. He totaled 40 goals and 73 assists in 121 games over three seasons with the Badgers.

The Wings have had their share of Wisconsin defensemen including Brendan Smith, who was Schultz’s teammate in 2009-10, and Chelios (1981-’83).

“You’ll never know until he does it, but with his size, his strength and his skating ability, if he’s not ready he’s really darn close,” Chelios said. “College is a lot different than the NHL. The jump from college to the AHL is a lot easier. Physically there’s no question he’s ready.”

Wings general manager Ken Holland said Monday that they’re ready to give Schultz, a two-time Hobey Baker finalist, the opportunity to play in Detroit.

“With the loss of Nicklas Lidstrom and Brad Stuart, there’s a tremendous opportunity,” Holland said. “We’re trying to rebuild on the fly. We think he would be a good fit.”

Money won’t be an issue in the negotiations since the maximum entry-level contract for a 22-year-old is two years for $925,000 per season with a standard 10-percent signing bonus. The only question would be if he’ll be guaranteed a spot on the roster.

And the Wings seem prepared to at least offer him a spot on the roster once training camp breaks.

Shanny snubbed from HOFFormer Wing Brendan Shanahan will have to wait at least one more year to get into the Hockey Hall of Fame after not being elected Tuesday in his first year of eligibility.

However, former Wings center Adam Oates was elected, along with Pavel Bure, Mats Sundin and Joe Sakic.

“I don’t answer to any surprise questions because all those guys are obviously deserving of getting into the Hall of Fame,” Chelios said when asked if he was surprised Shanahan was not voted in.

Oates, who was also hired as head coach of the Washington Capitals on Tuesday, had 341 goals and 1,079 assists in 1,337 games with Detroit, St. Louis, Boston, Washington, Philadelphia, Anaheim, and Edmonton.

“When I got traded I was really upset,” Oates said about the Wings dealing him to St. Louis. “Detroit was my first team. It was heartbreaking. But it gave me the chance to go to St. Louis and play with Brett (Hull) and really establish myself in the league.”

Oates has been eligible since 2007 to get added to the HOF.

“I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t,” Oates said when asked if he looks forward to election day since being passed over so many times. “Maybe not as much as previous years, but I knew it was coming around and today was the day.”

Many thought Shanahan, who won three Stanley Cups with the Wings, was a shoo-in this year. He had 656 goals (13th all-time) and 1,354 points in 1,524 games over 21 seasons.

“You can only put so many in during a year,” Chelios said. “I don’t know how they pick them to be honest with you.”

While competing for Team Canada, Shanahan also won a gold medal at the 1994 World Championships, 2002 Winter Olympics, and a 1991 Canada Cup championship, which makes him a member of the elite Triple Gold Club.

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